Wow.

When 3Up Adventures announced back in November that we were taking to the road, we could hardly have expected that we’d have threedifferenttravel vehicles within six months. There was no expiration date to our travels but we knew that we wanted to eventually settle in one place again—we just didn’t have any idea where that would be.

When Forrest and I left Moab about three weeks ago we checked outsomeof themoreremote parts of Southwestern Utah. We were supposed to be staying at “lower” elevations and planned on going to Gateway, Colorado but at the junction of US 50 and CO 141, we were struck with mountain fever and rationalized that Ouray (and Silverton and Ridgway) was only a couple of hours out of our way. We’d been wanting to check out SW Colorado for a long time thinking it might be one of the places we’d be really happy.

We got to Ridgway and I fell in love. It reminded me of Switzerland. 14ers everywhere! Exploring! Hiking! Brewery! Distillery! Young outdoorsy people walking around! Friendly people!

Fast forward three days of us bumming around and we started shopping for property. (Because there’s no time like the present for decent prices, right?) Browsing Zillow semi-jokingly, I found 40 acres with mountain views for a what seemed to be a pretty good price. We called the listing agent and arranged to meet her, rationalizing it to ourselves as “just to check it out, probably wasting her time.” (This didn’t stop us from spending hours researching public records on the property.)

The next day, we walked around the property and realized that it didn’t just have a view, it had The Views. To the north, we could see Grand Mesa, to the northwest the West Elk Mountains peaked over a ridge, to our east was Cimmeron Ridge, and to the southeast and the south are the San Juan Mountains. As our tour of the property came to a close, we glanced at each other and took a deep breath, we wanted to put in an offer.

After the usual ups and downs of real estate offers, contracts, and closing, as of last Friday, it’s ours.

There really wasn’t one. The Scamp wasn’t really cutting it for all of our travel on dirt roads, especially behind the jeep. It was super cute and I really liked it but our travel vehicle needed to meet all of our needs as a family not just mine.

I follow your blog, but I’m not sure I’ve ever commented. I love reading about your travels and experiences, so thanks for writing! Also, I’m from Utah and have traveled around the Utah/Colorado area relatively extensively, but you’ve given me ideas of new hikes to try and new places to explore, so thank you for that as well.
Anyway, when I read your post on Friday, I was like ‘Man, if Ridgway didn’t fit the bill, I’m not sure where will…Gunnison? Breckenridge?’ Haha. But I’m very excited for you and can’t wait to follow along with the new adventures this next step brings!

I spent about 2 weeks in the area around Ridgeway taking fall photos and fell in love with it. Great little town. How could any town that idolizes John Wayne not be great (for those who don’t know, his movie “True Grit” was shot on location in Ridgeway and in surrounding areas)! Gorgeous area! And it is just a few hours to Moab so you get the best of both worlds.

The photo makes it look like high plains like North to Montrose instead of mountains like south to Ouray. I’m a little surprised you didn’t want to be more IN the mountains instead of looking at them in the distance.

Hello and congratulations on your boldness to live your dreams. Welcome to Colorado!
My wife and I are probably 20 years ahead of you two in age and now have a high school age daughter, and of course our black lab. We took a similar journey 20 years ago and landed in Colorado as well.We started our journey with the goal of living simply and it has been incredible re-inventing ourselves from our mid western roots. We settled in North western ,CO and have had an incredible life working as professional guides, building a timber frame, learning to garden and trying our best to live out our simplicity values. It get’s a little more challenging with kid’s.:)
We have always loved or trips to Ridgeway and were very close to buying a similar piece of land before we settled up here. Well, it’s our turn to hit the road again when our daughter graduates in a few years and the sprinter looks like our next home.
I am starting our research and found your site and I am thrilled with all the great insights and knowledge you have provided.
Thanks for sharing and good luck in your new life chapter. Here’s to NOW!
Steve